Bottle crating and decrating machines



Jam 10, 1956 A. G. ENocK 2,730,279

BOTTLE CRATING AND DECRATING MACHINES Filed Nov. 25, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet1 Jan. l0, 1956 Filed Nov. 23, 1951 A. G. ENOCK BOTTLE CRATING ANDDECRATING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. l0, 1956 A. G. ENocK BOTTLECRATING AND DECRATING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 25, 1951 fyfff y@ Marne/vs Jan. 1o, 1956 A. G. ENOCK 2,730,279

BOTTLE CRATING AND DECRATING MACHINES Filed Nov. 25, 1951 5 Sheets-Shet4 Jan. 10, 1956 A. G. ENocK 2,730,279

BOTTLE CRATING AND DECRATING MACHINES Filed Nov. 23, 1951 5S11eet,S-Shee\l 5 Unted States Patent iice 2,730,279 Patented Jan, 10,1956 2,730,279 BOTTLE CRATNG AND DECRATING MACHINES Arthur Guy Enock,Thame, England, assignor to Graham- Enock Manufacturing Company Limited,London, England Application November 23, 1951, Serial No. 257,783 8Claims. (Cl. 226-14) This invention relates to bottle crating machinesand has for its object to provide a bottle crating machine by which theplacing of lled and capped bottles in a crate is effected automatically.

The invention consists in a bottle crating machine wherein lled andcapped bottles are fed to bottle marshalling means by which theappropriate number of bottles is arranged in relative positionsconformed to those they will occupy in a crate and wherein bottletransferring means are provided which lift the marshalled bottles andtransfer them to a position above a crate and lower them into the crate.

The bottle transferring means may comprise a plurality of suspendedbottle gripping devices which are cam operated to release the bottlestransferred thereby.

The bottle marshalling means may comprise a table onto which bottles inpredetermined line groups are transferred from a bottle feeding conveyormeans being provided for spacing the bottle to the desired pattern.

The operation of the moving elements of the machine may be effected bypneumatic means comprising compressed air actuated cylinder means.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a bottle crating machine according tothe invention.

Figure 2 is a corresponding plan.

Figure 3 is an end elevation partly in section.

Figlre 4 is an elevation of a bottle gripping device.

Figure 5 is a section plan at V-V of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a diagram of a pneumatic control circuit.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are respectively partial elevation, plan and endelevation of a modified arrangement of bottle marshalling assembly.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one mode by way ofexample, a bottle transferring element comprising a plate 1 is mountedupon supporting rollers 2 which are freely mounted upon spindles 3carried by angle irons 4. The angle irons are connected at their ends bychannel irons 5 and 5a to form a frame which is guided for verticalmovement upon columns 6, 6a. The frame 4, 5 overhangs one pair ofcolumns as seen in Figure l.

Movement of the frame 4, 5 is effected by a pair of pneumatic cylinders7 which are pivotally mounted upon the columns 6a the piston rods beingconnected to the frame.

The frame 4, 5 is guided in its vertical movements by guide means 8connected between the columns 6 and the channel iron 5.

The plate 1 is adapted to be reciprocated relatively to the frame 4, 5by means of an air cylinder 9 which is connected between the channeliron 5 and a bracket 10 mounted on the plate 1.

The plate 1 supports a plurality of bottle gripping devices 11 which arearranged in a pattern corresponding to the positions of the bottlesin acrate. As shown in the present apparatus the gripping devices arearranged in four rows of ve grippers in each row.

Each gripper 11 comprises a pair of gripping arms 12 which are pivotedon a common axis on a bracket 13 secured to the plate, see Figures 4 and5. The arms 12 at their lower ends are provided with curved surfaces 14which in cross section are of arcuate shape and are provided with asupporting ledge 15 adapted to engage beneath the shoulder 16 of abottle.

The arms 12 are moved to their bottle gripping position by a pair ofleaf springs 17. Opening of the arms to the bottle release position iseifected by a rotary cam 18 located between and engaging the surfaces 19of the arms.

The cams 18 are mounted upon shafts 20 supported by brackets 21 from theplate 1, there being four shafts parallel with one another for the fourrows of grippers.

At corresponding ends the shafts 1S are provided with arms 22 connectedto a common bar 23. The bar 23 is coupled by a lever 24 to the piston ofan air cylinder 25 carried by the plate 1. Upon operation of thecylinder 25 at the appropriate time all the cams 1S are operated to openthe gripper arms 12.

When the plate 1 is in its right hand position as viewed in Figure 1, itis located above a bottle marshalling table 26 which is provided with aseries of Islots 27 through which bottle spacing lugs 28 project. Thelugs 2S are mounted upon endless bands 29 supported upon terminal wheels3i). The lugs 2S are spaced from one another a distance conforming tothe diameter of a bottle.

The bottles are delivered in a single line to the marshalling table by abottle conveyor 31 and are transferred in groups by a pusher bar 32carried by oscillating arms 33 operated by an air cylinder 34 pivotallymounted on the columns 6.

From the position shown in Figure 1, the frame 4, 5 with the bottletransferring assembly is lowered by actuating the air cylinder 7 tobring the grippers 11 into operative engagement with the bottle on themarshalling table and upon subsequently rising to its original positionthe bottles are lifted from the marshalling table.

Located laterally of the marshalling table 21' but at a lower level is acrate conveyor comprising a spaced pair of endless conveyor chainshaving supporting rollers '70 travelling along guide tracks 71 withreturn tracks 72, the tracks being supported upon a frame work 73.

When a crate 74 is moved into a position beneath the bottle transformingassembly in its discharge position it abuts against a stop-roller andengages a control-valve actuating lever 76. The roller 75 extends acrossthe track of the crate conveyor and registers the crate in thelongitudinal position. The crate 74 is registered laterally by a pusherbar 77 and a :zo-operating fence 35. The pusher bar 77 is carried byarms 36 on a rock shaft 36a.

The rock shaft is couped by a lever 37 to an air cylinder 3S.

In order to allow a lled crate to proceed from the bottle receivingposition it is raised to a position above the height of the stop roller75, so that it will be pushed onto and over the roller by the oncomingempty crate. The raising means comprises a spaced pair of bars 39connected together by a pair of U-shaped members 40. These members areconnected to actuating means cornprising an air cylinder 41, by rockshafts 42 one of which has a lever 43 secured thereto and coupled byarms 44, arms 45 and rods 46, which extend through holes in the members40.

When the bottle transferring assembly is moved to the left position inFigure 1 by actuation of the air cylinder 9, the frame 4, 5 is loweredby actuation of the air cylinders 7 until the bottles in the grippersare located in the waiting crate, whereupon the air cylinder 25 isoperated to actuate the cams 18 and release the bottles. At thebeginning of a cycle of operation the bottle transferring assembly(plate 1) is located in the left hand upper position as viewed in Figure1 and the bottle grippers 11 are in the open position.

On the operation of a control valve by an attendant the bottletransferring assembly is moved to the right to a position above themarshalling table 26.

The plate 1 is then lowered a short distance (which may be determined bya displaceable stop carried by the plate 1) to a position in which thebottle grippers 11 surround the bottle necks, the arms still being open,whereupon the cams 18 are operated to permit the arms to close under theaction of springs 17 and thus grip the bottles.

The plate 1 then rises and the assembly moves to the left as viewed inFigure l and the assembly is then lowered to place the bottles in thecrate, lust prior to the plate 1 reaching its lowest position thegrippers 11 open to release the bottles and remain open until the plate1 is again lowered to the marshalling position where a fresh series ofbottles has in the meantime been marshalled.

As above described the various movements of the parts are effectedthrough air cylinders and a convenient control circuit will now bedescribed with reference to Figure 6 it being appreciated that thefigure is only a diagrammatic representation and the parts may nottherefore occupy their correct relative position. The cylinders andvalve illustrated in the diagram are of known construction.

In operation the valve Sti (actuated by Ithe lever 76) is momentarilydepressed causing the valve 51 to reverse whereby the cylinder 9 isactuated to move bottle transferring assembly plate 1 to the right andAthe piston of cylinder 52 to the left. The cylinder 52 actuates thestop 53.

In moving to the right the plate 1 actuates valve 54 thereby reversingvalve 55 so that cylinder 7 is actuated to lower the plate frame 4, ontothe stop 53. At the same time the plate (or frame) actuates the valves56, 57.

Valve 56 reverses valve 55 and valve 57 reverses valve 58 causing thecylinder 2S to close the grippers 11, and cylinder 7 to raise the frame4, 5. In rising the plate 1 will actuate valve 59 reversing valve 51 sothat the cylinder 9 will move plate 1 to the left causing it to actuatevalve 60.

The actuation of valve 60 reverses the valve 55 so that the cylinder 7lowers the frame 4, S and brings the plate 1 into engagement with valve61. Thereupon the valves 55 and S8 are reversed, causing the cylinder 25to operate the cams 18 and release the grippers 11 and the frame 4, 5 israised -to its original position.

Known forms of interlocking means may be provided between the parts ofthe control system.

Suitable valve means will be provided which may be actuated by thebottles on the bottle conveyor for controlling the cylinder 34 actuatingthe group pusher 32.

Similarly, suitable valve means are provided for controlling thecylinders 38 and 41 such valves being actuated through means associatedwith the crate conveyor.

According to a modified form of bottle marshalling means see Figures7-9, the groups of bottles from the bottle conveyor 31 are transferredto the marshalling table 62 by bars 63 which circulate through a closedpath and move across the conveyor 31.

The bars are detachably mounted by spaced pins 64 upon an endless band67 mounted on terminal rolls 65 one of which operates as a driving drum.

The pins 64 are preferably located withadditional pins so that the bars63 may be arranged for example for 1 pint and 1/2 pint bottles.

The table 62 is provided with fences 66 which space out the bottles asthey are transferred from the bottle conveyor 31.

The band is. driven intermittently for example by an oscillating leveractuated by an air cylinder the arrangement being such that there is apause when the desired number of rows of bottles are marshalled, untilthe bottles are lifted clear.

Instead of a band 67, spaced chains mounted on end sprocket wheel may beprovided.

Although the invention has been described in connection with the cratingof bottles it will be appreciated that certain features of the machinemay be utilised in the de-crating of bottles and the delivery thereof toa bottle washing plant, and in connection therewith the empty bottlesmay be deposited onto an inspection table from which they may bedelivered in single line to the washing plant feed conveyor.

I claim:

l. A bottle crating machine, comprising conveyor means for deliveringbottles in line to said machine, means for transferring groups ofbottles from said conveyor and marshalling them on a marshalling tablein spaced relationship into a group pattern conforming to the positionsthey will occupy in a crate, a crate conveyor located laterally of themarshalling table, a frame located above and extending over themarshalling table and crate conveyor, said frame having a verticaldisplacement relating to the marshalling table and crate conveyor, aplate carried by said frame and movable laterally relatively theretofrom a position over the marshalling table to a position over a crate onsaid crate conveyor, a plurality of bottle gripping devices suspendedfrom said plate and conforming to the pattern of a marshalled group ofbottles, said gripping means being operable by a downward verticalmovement of said frame to grip the bottle necks, means for operating thegripping devices to release bottles gripped thereby when the bottles areplaced in position in a crate, pneumatic means comprising air cylindersfor actuating said frame, plate and gripper bottle releasing means, andcontrol means for said cylinders located to be actuated by the movingparts in sequence whereby the cycle of operations is automaticallycontrolled.

2. A bottle crating machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein each bottlegripping device comprises a pair of bottle engaging arms pivoted upon acommon axis, spring means for closing the arms to grip a bottle neck,and rotary cam means located between the arms for opening the arms torelease the bottle when in the crate, the cams being actuated bypneumatic cylinder means mounted on said plate.

3. A bottle crating machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bottlefeeding conveyor is continuously driven and moves the crate against apositioning stop, means for moving the crate laterally against apositioning fence, said means being actuated by an air cylinder, meansfor raising a crate above the level of the positioning stop whereby anoncoming crate pushes the raised crate over the stop, the crate raisingmeans being actuated by an air cylinder.

4. A bottle crating machine as claimed in claim l, wherein the bottlemarshalling means comprises a bottle feeding conveyor for feeding aseries of bottles in line, means for transferring line groups of bottlesfrom said conveyor to the marshalling table comprising a series ofspaced pusher bars lying parallel to the feed of said conveyor, saidbars being mounted on an endless travelling band and circulating aroundsaid conveyor and marshalling table, and means for intermittentlydriving the band' and causing a dwell period when the predeterminednumber of bottles is marshalled.

5. A bottle crating machine comprising means for marshalling bottles inspaced relationship into a group having a pattern conforming to thepositions they will occupy in a crate, bottle transferring means forlifting a rnarshalled group of bottles and transferring them laterallyto a position above a crate and lowering them into the crate, saidtransferring means including a plurality of suspended bottle grippingdevices, each bottle gripping device comprising an opposed pair ofbottle engaging arms pivotally mounted on a common axis, spring meansfor pressing said arms into bottle gripping relation, and rotary cammeans located between said arms for spreading them to their bottlerelease position, means for lowering said bottle gripping devicesrelatively to the marshalled group of bottles to a position where theyengage and grip the bottle necks by a relatively downward movement andmeans for actuating said rotary cam means to actuate the bottle grippingdevices to release the bottles when they are located in the crate.

6. A bottle crating machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein the bottlegripping devices are mounted on a plate slidable horizontally in aframe, means for imparting vertical downward movement of the framerelatively to the group of marshalled bottles to lower said bottlegripping devices into the bottle gripping position, and then upwardly toa horizontal bottle transferring position, and then vertically downwardto a bottle crating position.

7. A bottle crating machine as claimed in claim 5,

wherein a continuously moving conveyor delivers crates to a bottlereceiving position, a positioning stop in said position for holding thecrate against forward movement, and means for displacing a cratelaterally against a side positioning fence while engaging said stop.

8. A bottle crating machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein means areprovided for lifting the crate above the level of said positioning stopwhereby the crate is moved over the stop by an oncoming crate.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,090,855 IagenbergV Mar. 24, 1914 1,243,407 Hawthorne Oct. 16, 19171,247,722 Rogers et al. Nov. 27, 1917 2,358,447 Creamer Sept. 19, 19442,524,846 Socke et al Oct. 10, 1950

